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Mandatory criminal record check to keep NHS patients sefe |
15 Oct 2004 |
Health Minister John Hutton has announced that all eligible new recruits into the NHS must undergo checks on their criminal record under a new measure to increase patient safety.
From early next year, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will become mandatory for every new recruit with access to patients as part of their normal duties.
Staff requiring checks will include all medical, nursing and other staff with direct patient contact, as well as staff whose work provides access to patients, such as cleaners and maintenance workers.
The checks will trawl information held on the Police National Computer and the records held by the Department for Education and Skills to help NHS employers assess the suitability of candidates.
There is currently a considerable variation in the checking policy of NHS employers. At present, only staff who work with children are legally obliged to have CRB checks.
John Hutton said: "We want to do all we can to ensure the safety of patients receiving treatment on the NHS. Checks on the criminal records of new recruits will help us achieve this aim. The security of patients must always be our top priority.
"The results of the checks will help NHS employers make safer recruitment decisions and give the public extra piece of mind."
A recent survey of NHS employers showed a good level of support for the introduction of mandatory CRB checks, including from Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
Hugh Chapman, associate director of Human Resources, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "It is our policy that our recruitment team carry out criminal records checks on behalf of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust and six Primary Care Trusts across Berkshire for all new recruits into posts working with vulnerable adults, adolescents and children. In addition, we also check administrative staff who may be in contact with patients in the course of their duties."
Jim Gee, chief executive of the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service, a Special Health Authority which has responsibility for all policy and operational matters relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud and corruption and the management of security in the NHS, said: "Criminal Records Bureau checks will be a useful tool in preventing NHS fraud. Over the last five years, a number of fraud cases have involved individuals concealing criminal records to gain employment. These checks will make this harder for new NHS recruits. We believe these checks will help our work in reducing losses to fraud and make a safer and more secure NHS."
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